Conservative Islamists are urging women in a northern Malaysian city to abandon lipstick and high heels so as to "preserve their dignity and avoid rape."
The city of Kota Bharu, capital of Kelantan state in Malaysia, is run by the conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic party. The officials said this is not official order but just some advice for women to follow the "Islamic Way."
The Malaysian liberal parties mocked this code and called their policies "Taliban lite."
Officials have already passed laws that make it mandatory to have separate checkout lines for men and women in supermarkets. If couples are seen sitting close together on park benches, they get a fine of up to £285 ($570) from the city's moral enforcers.
One law that was passed a decade ago provides a directive to women to wear non-transparent headscarves that should cover the chest. Women should wear it with loose-fitting, long-sleeved blouses and if they are found to be violating this code, they are fined up to £75 ($150).
Azman Mohamad Daham, a spokesman for the municipality told the
Guardian:
"Our minimum guideline is they must wear headscarves...The goal of the modesty drive was to prevent rape and safeguard the women's dignity.
Malaysia: Forsake lipstick and high heels 'to avoid rape'
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